Page
November 30, 1903.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
395
is to a large extent subsidised by the unctuous benediction
on the efforts of English and the Americans. Japanese papers
the Japanese to colonise Formosa; are sometimes in
will fact edited directly by she
approve, within representatives of these nationalities.
certain lim- On its and with certain reservations and this account there, is no need to be guarantees, of their emigration to Corea, but alarmed to any particular extent by the
when asked to open up Manchuria she smiles furious outbursts of the Japanese Press,
the half-amused, balf-pitying smile of the man or to be lulled into security by its optimistic whom a spoilt child asks for the moon. predictions. One must estimate for himself how matters stand in the Far East, especially when there is anything serious the matter there, and must not allow himself to be influs. ced by the tone of the Japanese newspapers,
RELATIONS STRAINED.
result of the policy that is, of the policy of having some strong personality to whom the direction of Russia's policy out here can be entrusted-is seen in the fact that we have How got a permanent policy in the Far East. That policy has also given birth to that now celebrated question, the evacuation of Manchuria; and the Japanese are right, a thou- sand times right, when they recognise in Ad- jutant-General Alexieff a man who has a great influence on our policy here, not because of course that he belongs to the war party. but because that he, in virtue of the power given to him, knows wheu it is possible, so long as he does not compromise the dignity and the pres. "It would be mere affectation on our part to tige of Russia and of her Imperial ruler. to deny that our relations with Japan are rather make concessions for the sake of peace to the strained at present. They have been strained interests of other Powers. We have DOW for some time past although there reached a moment when all the Powers, and par-aggressive notion on our side which might be re- ticularly ourselves and the Japanese, pay great garded as having brought about this estrange- attention to their interests in this part of the ment. At all events Japan pushed on the world. Seasonable and justconcessions will doubt warlike preparations of her fleet which she sent less dissipate the phantom of war. Although to manoeuvre in the Straits of Corea, and which not much light i thrown by the Press on the was also stationed in a line from the island of Russo-Japanese negotiations, there is no doubt Kargodo to the islands of Tsushima and that the situation is now easier. Russia will not Kinshiu. Soldiers were placed ou board her surrender her interests in Manchuria, but she transports aud brought to Masampo. This was will not hinder the development of the business done by way of trausport exercise of course. and commercial interests of other Powers at the The men were not landed but returned to the moment when the n gotiations of the Russians island of Tsushima. with the Chinese have been brought to a coxclusion.
JAPAN.
The Eastern World of Yokohama has; an article on the subject of Japanese emigration to Cores, in which it shows that Cores is not necessary at all as a field for Japanese emigrants, a large part of arable land in Japan itself still remaining uncaltivated. However that may be, Russia will not hinder Japanese emigration to Corea, but Russia cannot, on the other hand, allow Japan to place obstacles in the way of Russian trade in Corea or anywhere else. The Novosti and the Siberian Viedomosti speak in a similar strain. The relations of the other Powers in the Far East will also be more clearly defined. The mask has fallen. The fact that the United States is acting with Japan is clear. Germany is trying to make trouble between Russia and England. England maintains a correct neutrality and warns Japan to keep out of trouble, and the English Press, as represented by that able journal, the Spectator, says that au alliance between England and Russia is desir- able. The cards are seen. The play will now be easier.
THE
Port Arthur, 11th November. NOVOE VREMYA'S" VIEW.
The Novoe Vremya of the 21st October has the following article ou the present Russo-Japanese crisis:-
The Russian newspapers of the Far East and the European Press published in the same quarter say that a period of calm has made its appearance in Russo-Japanese relations and that a serious conflict between the two Powers is now out of the question, though at one time it seemed possible enongb. We are very glad to hear such good news; nevertheless the important question f the preservation of peace cannot be lightly disposed of, and we cannot therefore us. fortunately receive as gospel the cheerful information in question. The Press of the Far East tells us to-day that there will be no war; yesterday it told us that war avoidable; to-morrow perhaps it will again assure us that we must inevitably come into collision with Japan. But on what foundation are all these rumours past, present and future -based? Evidently on the prevalent tone of the Japanese newspapers. These papers began by crying out that it was necessary to make war on us, and everybody began to talk about the crisis; after a while these cries decreased and everybody began to feel comfort able and to affirm that the danger of war was minimised.
Was an-
THE JAPANESE PRESS INACCURATE.
"To attach such importance to the Japanese Press would not be extraordinary if that Press ware always a model of accuracy and famous for its faithful expression of the views of its Government. But it cannot be said that the Press of any country is a faithful exponent of the views of its Government. It certainly cannot be said of the Japanese Press, which
WAS DO
"We just meation this little fact to give the reader an idea of the acts which are accountable for the present crisis in the Far East, There is a wide interval of course between such acts and an actual collision. A demonstration car- ried out by a fleet is a comparatively cheap per formance, as Powers which possess a strong feet are not averse to showing it off, especially if by doing so they think they can bring pres. sure to bear on a neighbour.
64
NO EFFECT ON RUSSIA.
But this demonstration will have no effect on Russia, ie. it will not make us too yielding in our relations with the Japanese. The object we have in view in the Far East is the develop- ment and prosperity of our frontiers, and to abandon this object, that is, otherwise speaking, to abandon all measures for the lawful defence of our intere te we do not desire to do and we cannot do. We do not know if the Japanese preparations of Japan do not decrease; on the contrary they are being carried on with re. doubled energy. This is a more important fact, in our opinion, than the change in the tone of the Japanese Press. The Press may write in a peaceful strain, but, meanwhile, the Japanese Government has given orders for all its military officers at present travelling or studying in foreign countries
are aware of this, but at all events the warlike
at
to return
once to the Fatherland. The firm of Krupp of Essen has just received from the Japanese Government a telegram ask- ing them to make haste to fulfil certain orders previously placed with them. Coal for the use of the fleet is also being bought in enormous quantities, and a great stock has now been ac- cumula ed. In the Japanese arsenals work ceases neither day nor night. Many transport vessels have already been chartered and the Government is putting forth all its efforts to charter as many 88 possible.
All bese symptoms, and also the brisk exchange of views
between Tokyo, Washington, and London force as to be cautious, and to place little trust in the peaceful tone of the Japanese Press. We do not want, however, to say that the danger to the maintenance of peace in the Far East is
policy cannot surely lead to a crisis. very great. The peaceful tendency of Russia's We only ask, however, for the exercise of caution and a due and critical estimate of the condition of affairs in the Far East.
"Our negotiations with Japan still continue, and it is to be hoped that both parties will finally arrive at an understanding which will safeguard the interests of Russia and assure to Japan the peace which is indispensable for her welfare."
THE OPENING OF MOUKDEN,
Press, it seems, from the tone of that Press and In spite of the optimistic tone of the Russian from what individual, Russians say on the subject, that, whatever concessions Japan gets, there are two that she certainly will not get. One of these is the evacuation of Manchuria, the other is the opening of Moakden or any part of the threeiprovinces. Anything else in reason Russia will gracefully concede. She will bestowan
The Port Arthur journal of this morning Bays: "The spreading of sensational reports obliges us, in order to refute them, to explain the true circumstances attending the occupation of Moukden by the Russians. The fact is that only two companies of our troops were sent there in order to bring about the re-establish- ment of order. The Tartar General was not arrested on the occasion and no repressive measures were taken towards the Chinese authorities administering the Government of the town."
13
PRINCE ADALBERT IN HONGKONG.
arrived on Thursday morning with Prince Adal- The Norddeutscher Lloyd 8.8. König Albert
bert of Germany on board. She went alongside at Kowloon between nine and ten o'clock. Both the König Albert and the Hamburg, the home- ward-bound German Mail, were gaily decked with bunting in honour of H.F.H. The bands of both steamers were playing the national an- them of Germany when the König Albert made fast to the wharf. As the Prince's arrival was
private a guard of honour was not sent to dress ship for the same reason; no salutes meet him. Warships in harbour did not
were fired.
A large number of persons met the steamer. Preminent amongst them was Captain M. R. Hurly, A.D,C. to H.E. F. H. May, Officer Administering the Consul and the Agent for the Norddeutscher There were also the German Government. Lloyd Co. Captain M. R. Burly steamed over from Hongkong Island in the Government take tiffin at Government House. launch Victoria. He invited the Prines to H.R H. accepted the invitation, subsequently leaving Kowloon in the German Consal's launch. Не was ccompanied by Captain Ba on Schimmelman, his A.D.C. On arriving at
this side of the harbour, the Prince was con- the German Consul'a chair to eyed in Government House. He was received by H.E. and Mrs. May. Government House had been decorated by Mr. Tutcher of the Botanical and
Afforestation Department. Beautiful
spray palms from the Botanical Gardens made an effective display of greenery and pretty feras surrounded them. Gorgeous red poinsettias in fall bloom were prominent among the flowers. In addition to H E. and Mrs. May Prince Adal. bert, Captain Hurly, and Captain Baron Schim- melmun, at tifu were Sir William Meigh and Lady Goodman, Commodore and Mrs. Robinson, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Siebs, Sir Paul Chater, Mr. and Mrs. Goetz, Colonel Brown, Captain Lieutenaut Pasohen, Wyndham, Captain H.I.G.M.S., Dr. Gumprecht, Mr. Michelau, Mr. Figge, Mr. Bremner, and Mr. Johnston (private secretary to HE.). The party took their seats at 1 p.m. No speeches were made
excepting that H.E. toasted King Edward and the German Emperor. About half an hour after lunch the Prince took his leave as he
have said he would like to
look at
A
the shops. The König Albert left for Shang- hai'next morning. The Admiral of the German China Squadron was on board of her. He did not, however, visit Government House. Prince Adalbert, son of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, is on his way to Shanghai to join the Hertha on which he is to serve two years on the Chias Station. He is the second son of the Kaiser. He is 19 years of age and extremely youthful as well as good looking in appearance. On enquiry our representative was informed that the König Albert ha a fine passage out and that the Prince thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
The German steamer Prinzess Marie from Antwerp, bound for Dalny, arrived at Colombo on the 13th inst. She is bringing out the river gunboat Tringtau for the German Navy in China. The gunboat, which was built at Elbing, is packed in sections.
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